User interaction feedback system

ABSTRACT

A viewer response method for use with an interactive telecommunications system. The viewer response method includes accumulating a user interaction history of a user of the system, the user interaction history including user interaction information associated with a plurality of user interaction events and providing user-sensible feedback, based at least in part on the user interaction history.

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/089,717, filed 3 Jun. 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,393 andentitled VIEWER INTERACTION FEEDBACK METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ANINTERACTIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication systems in general, andin particular to communication systems for measuring user interaction orresponse, such as television systems for measuring viewer response.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications systems which measure viewer response are well-known inthe art. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,107,734 and 4,308,554 to Percy et al. Other related technologies aredescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481,294 to Thomas et al. and4,677,466 to Lert, Jr. et al.

A system which provides, in an interactive communications system,interactive information output based on a selection profile is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,279 to Freeman.

The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout thepresent specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved communication systemfor measuring user response.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a viewer response method for use with an interactivetelecommunications system, the method including accumulating a userinteraction history of a user of the system, the user interactionhistory including user interaction information associated with aplurality of user interaction events, and providing user-sensiblefeedback, based at least in part on the user interaction history.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of providing user-sensible feedback includesproviding user-sensible feedback via the telecommunications system.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the plurality of user interaction events comprises acustomized plurality of user interaction events customized to the user.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the interactive telecommunications system includes atelevision system, and the user interaction history includes a viewinghistory including viewing information associated with a plurality ofviewing events.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention at least one of the plurality of viewing events includes theuser viewing a commercial.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the commercial includes a selected commercial selected from aplurality of commercials broadcast via the television system.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the plurality of viewing events includes the viewer viewing atleast two commercials, and the at least two commercials include at leasttwo commercials selected, according to at least one predeterminedcriterion, from a plurality of commercials broadcast via the interactivetelevision system.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the interactive telecommunications system includes a computernetwork based communications system.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the computer network based communications system includes aWorld Wide Web (WWW) based system.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the user interaction information includes information suppliedby the user while participating in at least one of the plurality of userinteraction events.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of accumulating a user interaction history of a userincludes performing the following steps at least twice: prompting theuser to enter a response during a user interaction event, receiving theresponse entered by the user, and storing the response.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of providing user-sensible feedback includesproviding an indication that the user is entitled to receive a prize.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the step of providing user-sensible feedback includesproviding an indication that the user is entitled to participate in agame.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the indication that the user is entitled to participate in thegame includes an indication that a winner of the game is entitled toreceive a prize.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a method for playing a game using aninteractive television system, the method including accumulating aviewing history of a viewer, the viewing history including viewinginformation associated with a plurality of viewing events, andauthorizing the viewer to participate in a game based, at least in part,on the viewing history.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method also includes the step of providing the game to theuser via the interactive television system.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention at least one of the plurality of viewing events includes theviewer viewing a commercial.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the commercial includes a selected commercial selected from aplurality of commercials broadcast via the interactive televisionsystem.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the plurality of view events includes the viewer viewing atleast two commercials, and the at least two commercials include at leasttwo commercials selected, according to a predetermined criterion, from aplurality of commercials broadcast via the interactive televisionsystem.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the interactive television system includes a headend locatedat a site remote from the viewer, and the method also includestransmitting a message including at least a portion of the viewinghistory to the headend.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the method also includes analyzing the portion of the viewinghistory at the headend, and modifying the behavior of the interactivetelevision system based, at least in part, on a result of the analyzingstep.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention an interactive viewer-responsetelecommunications system including user interaction history apparatusfor accumulating a user interaction history of a user of the system, theuser interaction history including user interaction informationassociated with a plurality of user interaction events, anduser-sensible feedback apparatus for providing user-sensible feedback,based at least in part on the user interaction history.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention an interactive television system includingviewing history apparatus for accumulating a viewing history of aviewer, the viewing history including viewing information associatedwith a plurality of viewing events, and gaming authorization apparatusfor authorizing the viewer to participate in a game based, at least inpart, on the viewing history.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a simplified partly pictorial, partly block-diagramillustration of a communication system for measuring user responseconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 1B-1D are simplified partly pictorial, partly block-diagramillustrations of the system of FIG. 1A, useful in understanding theoperation thereof;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a portion of thesystem of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a preferred method ofoperation of the system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart illustration of a preferredimplementation of step 200 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart illustration of an alternativepreferred method of operation of the system of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIG. 1A which is a simplified partly pictorial,partly block-diagram illustration of a communication system formeasuring user response constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The system of FIG. 1Acomprises a communication system, specifically a television systemdesignated generally 100. It is appreciated that the television system100 is shown in FIG. 1A by way of example only, and that, in general,any appropriate communication system may be used such as, for example, anetwork-based computer systems such as, for example, an Internet-basedsystem accessing the World Wide Web (WWW).

The terms “user” and “viewer” are used interchangeably throughout thepresent specification and claims to refer to any person who uses orviews a communication system such as, for example, a viewer of thetelevision system 100 or a user of an Internet-based system accessingthe World Wide Web.

The system of FIG. 1A preferably comprises a television receiver 110,which may be any appropriate television receiver equipped with a displayscreen 115. The television receiver 110 is preferably operativelyattached, typically with appropriate cabling, to a set top box 120.Typically, the set top box 120 comprises an associated removablesecurity element 125, such as a smart card. In a case where broadcaststo the set top box 120 are encrypted, the removable security element 125is typically responsible for providing access services necessary toallow decryption of the broadcasts, as is well known in the art.

The set top box 120 is in turn preferably operatively attached, alsotypically with appropriate cabling, to a connector 130, which maycomprise any appropriate connector operatively associated with atelevision broadcast system 140.

The television broadcast system 140 typically comprises a cabletelevision system or a satellite television system, but anotherappropriate type of television broadcast system may be used. As iswell-known in the art, the set top box 120 is preferably chosen forcompatibility with the particular television broadcast system 140,although it is appreciated that a set top box 120 which is compatiblewith a variety of television broadcast systems may be used.

Typically, the set top box 120 is operative to receive broadcasttransmissions from the television broadcast system 140 through theconnector 130, and to pass the broadcast transmissions on to thetelevision 110. Preferably, the set top box 120 is also operative tosend and/or receive information through a telephone connector 145 andthence via a telephone system (not shown), such as the public switchedtelephone network, typically communicating with a headend 150 comprisedin the television broadcast system 140. The headend 150 is typicallyoperative, as is well known in the art, to control broadcasts over thetelevision broadcast system 140.

The system of FIG. 1A also preferably comprises a remote control unit155, which may comprise any suitable remote control unit capable ofremotely controlling the set top box 120 and/or the television receiver110. Preferably, the remote control unit 155 controls the set top box120, which in turn controls the television receiver 110, as is wellknown in the art.

In FIG. 1A an overlay 160 is shown overlaying a broadcast picture 165 onthe display screen 115. The term “overlay”, as used throughout thepresent specification and claims, may refer to any appropriate type ofdisplay message which is added to the broadcast picture such as, forexample: a full screen overlay; a partial screen overlay; an opaqueoverlay; a transparent overlay; or any other appropriate overlay. As iswell known in the art, an overlay such as the overlay 160 is typicallyproduced by the set top box 120, typically in response to a commandreceived from the headend 150.

The operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1A is now briefly described. Theoverlay 160 preferably comprises a message inviting a viewer of thetelevision receiver 110 to indicate willingness to participate in acontest. The terms “contest” and “game” are used interchangeablythroughout the present specification and claims to refer to any game,contest, or other participatory event. While typically a contest, in thecontext of the present specification, refers to a contest which may beplayed via a television system or other communication system, a contestmay also refer to any other appropriate kind of contest or game, suchas, for example: a game which is sent to the viewer via the mail; acontest at a site to which admission is restricted; or any otherappropriate contest or game, especially a contest or game in whichparticipation is restricted to invited participants.

Alternatively, the user of the system of FIG. 1A may be provided with aprize without participating in a contest; may be provided with free orreduced cost access to pay television services carried by the televisionbroadcast system 140; may be provided with a congratulatory message; maybe provided with an opportunity to donate money to charity; or may beprovided with any other appropriate feedback. The term “prize”, as usedthroughout the present specification and claims, may, in addition toother appropriate types of prize, include a coupon representingavailability of a good or service at a reduced price or at no cost.

Typically, as shown in FIG. 1A, the viewer indicates willingness toparticipate by pressing a particular button on the remote control 155,which then transmits an indication of the button having been pressed tothe set top box 120, as is well known in the art. It is appreciated,however, that other methods of indicating willingness to participate mayalternatively be used such as, for example: speaking a response which isreceived by a voice recognition system (not shown), such as, forexample, a voice recognition system comprised in the set top box 120;entering a code, such as a code provided upon purchase of a particularproduct; answering a question, such as a multiple choice question; orplacing a telephone call to a particular telephone number.

Typically, the message may be provided along with an associatedadvertisement. Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 1B-1D, whichare simplified partly pictorial, partly block-diagram illustrations ofthe system of FIG. 1A, useful in understanding the operation thereof.Typically, in order to be allowed to participate in a contest, the userof the system of FIG. 1A will be required to indicate willingness toparticipate during the broadcast of a plurality of programs, typically apredetermined number of programs, which number may be determined by theheadend 150 and communicated to the set top box 120.

Typically, the plurality of programs comprises a plurality ofadvertisements. It is believed that the present invention isparticularly useful when the user is required to indicate willingness toparticipate during a plurality of related advertisements, such asadvertisements for a single product, so that the user being allowed toparticipate may be seen as a reward for viewing the plurality of relatedadvertisements.

In FIG. 1A, a viewer indicates willingness to participate in a contest,the willingness being indicated during broadcast of a commercial. Asindicated by the overlay 160, this is the first time that the viewer hasindicated willingness to participate, and the viewer must indicatewillingness a plurality of times, typically during a plurality ofrelated commercials, in order to be allowed to participate.

In FIG. 1B, the viewer is shown indicating willingness to participate inthe contest again. As indicated by a second overlay 170, the viewer hasalready indicated willingness to participate a plurality of times, andthe instance shown in FIG. 1B is the final indication necessary to allowparticipation.

Preferably, information comprising an indication of the viewer'swillingness to participate is transmitted by the set top box 120 to theheadend 150, through the telephone connector 145, via the telephonesystem. The transmission of such information may take place after eachindication of willingness to participate, after the plurality ofindications of willingness to participate, or at another time. Theinformation may preferably be used by the headend 150 to alter thebehavior of the set top box 120 and the television receiver 110 bydisplaying special overlays, allowing participation in interactivetelevision games, or in another appropriate manner.

In FIG. 1C the viewer is shown requesting to participate in a contest inresponse to a contest invitation overlay 175, which is preferablydisplayed by the set top box 120 after the plurality of indications ofwillingness to participate, typically based on instructions receivedfrom the headend 150. The participation request may comprise anadditional input, similar to the input described above with reference toFIG. 1A, such as an input of a code, such as a code provided uponpurchase of a particular product. Said instructions may be transmittedat an earlier time by the headend 150 and stored in the set top box 120or in the associated removable security element 125.

In FIG. 1D the viewer participates in a contest in response to a contestoverlay 180, which is typically produced similarly to the contestinvitation overlay 175. As described above, it is appreciated that aninteractive contest played via the system of FIGS. 1A-1D is only onepossible type of contest, and any appropriate type of contest may bemade available to the viewer.

It is appreciated that, in a case where the viewer is asked to answer aquestion, as described above, the viewer may typically be asked toanswer a question based on information provided during one or moreprevious programs or advertisements from among the plurality of programsor advertisements.

It is further appreciated that, using methods well known in the art ofpay television conditional access systems, different overlays such as,for example, different overlays 160 and 165, may be presented todifferent viewers at different locations. Alternatively or additionally,the advertisement or program itself may be customized to the viewerusing similar methods, as is well known in the art. In this way, acustomized contest may be provided to viewers.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a simplified block diagramillustration of a portion of the system of FIG. 1A. The apparatus ofFIG. 2 comprises a telecommunications system 185, which may, asdescribed above, comprise the television system 100 or any otherappropriate telecommunications system. The telecommunications system 185comprises, in addition to conventional telecommunications systemcomponents (not shown) a user interaction history module 190 and auser-sensible feedback module 195.

Typically, the user interaction history module 190 and the user-sensiblefeedback module 195 may be implemented in software on an appropriateconventional computer, and may be located in the headend 150 of FIG. 1A,the set top box 120 of FIG. 1A, or elsewhere. Preferably, the userinteraction history module 190 is operative to accumulate a history ofinteractions of a user with the system of FIG. 1A and to provide userinteraction history information typically comprising the history ofinteractions to the user-sensible feedback module 195. The user-sensiblefeedback module 195 is operative to provide feedback to the user in someway that the user can sense, such as by picture, by voice, by sending anelectronic mail message, by sending a paper mail message, or otherwise.As described above, typically said feedback comprises an offer toparticipate in a contest.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a simplified flowchartillustration of a preferred method of operation of the system of FIG.1A. The method of FIG. 3 preferably comprises the following steps:

User interaction history is accumulated, typically for a particular userof the system of FIG. 1A (step 200). The user interaction historytypically is associated with a plurality of events in atelecommunications system such as that of FIG. 1A.

User-sensible feedback is provided to the user (step 210). Typically,the feedback is provided via the telecommunications system and is basedon the user interaction history accumulated in step 200.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a simplified flowchartillustration of a preferred implementation of step 200 of FIG. 3. Themethod of FIG. 4 preferably includes the following steps:

The user is prompted to enter a response during a user interaction event(step 220). The response entered by the user is received (step 230) andstored (step 240).

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a simplified flowchartillustration of an alternative preferred method of operation of thesystem of FIG. 1A. The method of FIG. 5 preferably includes thefollowing steps:

Viewing history is accumulated, typically for a particular viewer of thesystem of an interactive television system such as the system of FIG. 1A(step 250). The viewing history typically includes viewing informationassociated with a plurality of viewing events of the viewer of theinteractive television system.

Based on the viewing history accumulated in step 250, the viewer isprovided with an award; for example, the viewer may be authorized toparticipate in a game (step 260).

It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, forclarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in anysuitable subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is defined onlythe by claims which follow:

1. A viewer feedback system for use in a broadcasting system, the viewerfeedback system comprising: a receiver for receiving a plurality ofrelated advertisements broadcast to a viewer, each of the plurality ofrelated advertisements being overlaid with one of a plurality ofoverlaid invitations to the viewer to provide a feedback indicationduring broadcast of the advertisement; a user interaction historybuilder for receiving a plurality of viewer feedback indications, eachsaid viewer feedback indication comprising a feedback indicationassociated with one of said plurality of overlaid invitations overlaidover one of said plurality of related advertisements; and a feedbackrewarder for providing a reward to the viewer upon receipt of at least apredetermined minimum plurality of said feedback indications by the userinteraction history builder, wherein at least one of the plurality ofviewer feedback indications comprises a code provided upon purchase of aproduct, and providing the code indicates a willingness of the viewer toparticipate in a participatory event.
 2. A viewer feedback systemaccording to claim 1 and wherein the reward comprises the viewer beingprovided with free or reduced cost access to pay television services. 3.A viewer feedback system according to claim 1 and wherein the rewardcomprises the viewer being provided with an opportunity to donate moneyto charity.
 4. A viewer feedback system according to claim 1 and alsocomprising: a broadcaster for broadcasting the plurality of relatedadvertisements.
 5. A viewer feedback system according to claim 1 andwherein all of the plurality of advertisements comprise advertisementsfor a single product.
 6. A viewer feedback system according to claim 1and wherein said receiver receives the plurality of advertisements via atelevision broadcasting system.
 7. A viewer feedback system according toclaim 6 and wherein the television broadcasting system comprises atleast one of the following: a cable television system; and a satellitetelevision system.
 8. A viewer feedback system according to claim 1 andwherein said receiver receives the plurality of advertisements via theInternet.
 9. A viewer feedback system according to claim 1 and alsocomprising a set top box, the set top box comprising: the receiver; theuser interaction history builder; and the feedback rewarder.
 10. Aviewer feedback system according to claim 1 and wherein the plurality ofadvertisements are encrypted, and also comprising: a decrypter fordecrypting the plurality of advertisements.
 11. A viewer feedback systemaccording to claim 1 and also comprising: a remote control unit forreceiving said plurality of viewer feedback indications from the viewerand sending the viewer feedback indications to the user interactionhistory builder.
 12. A viewer feedback method for use in a broadcastingsystem, the viewer feedback method comprising: receiving a plurality ofrelated advertisements broadcast to a viewer, each of the plurality ofrelated advertisements being overlaid with one of a plurality ofoverlaid invitations to the viewer to provide a feedback indicationduring broadcast of the advertisement; receiving, by a receiver device,a plurality of viewer feedback indications, each said viewer feedbackindication comprising a feedback indication associated with one of saidplurality of overlaid invitations overlaid over one of said plurality ofrelated advertisements; and providing a benefit to the viewer uponreceipt of at least a predetermined minimum plurality of said feedbackindications, wherein at least one of the plurality of viewer feedbackindications comprises a code provided upon purchase of a product, andproviding the code indicates a willingness of the viewer to participatein a participatory event.
 13. A viewer feedback system for use in abroadcasting system, the viewer feedback system comprising: a receiverfor receiving a plurality of related advertisements broadcast to aviewer, each of the plurality of related advertisements being overlaidwith one of a plurality of overlaid invitations to the viewer to providea feedback indication during broadcast of the advertisement; a userinteraction history builder for receiving a plurality of viewer feedbackindications, each said user feedback indication comprising a feedbackindication associated with one of said plurality of overlaid invitationsoverlaid over one of said plurality of related advertisements; and afeedback rewarder for providing a reward to the viewer upon receipt ofat least a predetermined minimum plurality of said feedback indicationsby the user interaction history builder, wherein the reward comprises atleast one of the following: the viewer being provided with free accessto pay television services; and the viewer being provided with reducedcost access to pay television services.